Function control methods and systems for wearable electronic devices

ABSTRACT

Function control methods and systems for wearable electronic devices are provided. First, a flag having a specific initial value is provided in a wearable electronic device. Then, an operational state of the wearable electronic device is obtained. When the operational state is changed, the specific initial value of the flag is deleted or the flag is set to a specific value. Once the value of the flag does not match the specific initial value, at least one function of the wearable electronic device is disabled.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates generally to function control methods and systemsfor wearable electronic devices, and, more particularly to methods andsystems that can set a flag value according to an operational state of awearable electronic device, and determine whether at least one functionof the wearable electronic device is allowed to be activated accordingto the flag value.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, electronic devices, such as smart phones, tablets, notebooks,or other portable devices, have become more and more technicallyadvanced and multifunctional. For example, portable devices have networkconnectivity capabilities. Users can use their portable devices toconnect to networks at anytime and anywhere. The convenience and newfunctionalities advanced by modern technology have made these devicesinto necessities of life.

On the other hand, with the coming of IOT (Internet Of Things)generation, every device or object can connect to networks, and userscan access and control these devices or objects via networks. Currently,wearable electronic devices have become the most tangible applicationsof IOT. In some cases, the wearable device can detect health informationof a user, record exercise information and sleep patterns, or displayemail messages or incoming calls.

Due to the capabilities and physical properties of wearable device, auser typically wears the device for a long time, and the wearable devicecan record related information of the user at any time. In some cases,important data, such as identification data or electronic wallet of theuser may be recorded in the wearable device. When the user takes off thewearable device, the important data may be leaked if other users obtainthe wearable device.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Function control methods and systems for wearable electronic devices areprovided, wherein a flag value can be set according to an operationalstate of a wearable electronic device, and it is determined whether atleast one function of the wearable electronic device is allowed to beactivated according to the flag value.

In an embodiment of a function control method for wearable electronicdevices, a flag having a specific initial value is provided in awearable electronic device. Then, an operational state of the wearableelectronic device is obtained. When the operational state changes, thevalue of the flag is changed. If the value of the flag does not matchthe specific initial value, at least one function of the wearableelectronic device is disabled.

An embodiment of a function control system for wearable electronicdevices comprises a storage unit and a processing unit. The storage unitrecords an operational state of a wearable electronic device, and a flaghaving a specific initial value is provided in a wearable electronicdevice. When the operational state changes, the process unit changes thevalue of the flag, wherein if the value of the flag does not match thespecific initial value, at least one function of the wearable electronicdevice is disabled.

In some embodiments, the determination of whether the operational statechanges is performed by determining whether a fastener of the wearableelectronic device is changed from a closed state to an open state,wherein the fastener can be opened or closed to allow a user to fastenthe wearable electronic device to be a loop, such that the wearableelectronic device can be worn on the user.

In some embodiments, the wearable electronic device comprises a mainbody and a connecting component. When the main body does not connectwith the connecting component, the operational state of the wearableelectronic device is in a first operational state. When the main bodyconnects with the connecting component, the operational state of thewearable electronic device is in a second operational state. Thedetermination of whether the operational state changes is performed bydetermining whether the operational state of the wearable electronicdevice changes from the second operational state to the firstoperational state.

In some embodiments, it is determined whether authentication data isreceived. When the received authentication data matches preset data inthe wearable electronic device, the value of the flag is reset to thespecific initial value. In some embodiments, when the authenticationdata is not received or the received authentication data does not matchthe preset data in the wearable electronic device, the wearableelectronic device is locked.

In some embodiments, the wearable electronic device comprises at leastone motion sensor for detecting a motion corresponding to the wearableelectronic device, wherein the authentication data comprises the motion.

In some embodiments, the function of the wearable electronic deviceprovides specific data in the wearable electronic device to be accessedby a specific electronic device.

In some embodiments, the flag is implemented by a register.

Function control methods for wearable electronic devices may take theform of a program code embodied in a tangible media. When the programcode is loaded into and executed by a machine, the machine becomes anapparatus for practicing the disclosed method.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will become more fully understood by referring to thefollowing detailed description with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a functioncontrol system for wearable electronic devices of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a main bodyand a connecting component of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of an exampleof a wearable electronic device having a main body and a connectingcomponent of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a function control method forwearable electronic devices of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of another embodiment of a function control methodfor wearable electronic devices of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Function control methods and systems for wearable electronic devices areprovided.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a functioncontrol system for wearable electronic devices of the invention. Thefunction control system for wearable electronic devices can be used in awearable electronic device. It is noted that, the wearable electronicdevice can be worn on any portion of an object, such as a user or ananimal.

The function control system for wearable electronic devices 100 cancomprise a storage unit 110 and a processing unit 120. The storage unit110 records an operational state 112 of the wearable electronic device.It is understood that, in some embodiments, the operational state 112represents the wearing situation of the wearable electronic device. Insome embodiments, the wearable electronic device can comprise afastener, which can be opened or closed to allow a user to fasten thewearable electronic device to be a loop, such that the wearableelectronic device can be worn on the user. In some embodiments, thewearable electronic device can comprise a main body and a connectingcomponent. When the main body does not connect with the connectingcomponent, the operational state of the wearable electronic device is ina first operational state, such as an open state. When the main bodyconnects with the connecting component, the operational state of thewearable electronic device is in a second operational state, such as aclosed state. It is noted that, in some embodiments, the accessauthorities to access the wearable electronic device in differentoperational states may be different. It is understood that, the accessauthority may be defined as a set of hardware and/or software elementsof the wearable electronic device which can be accessed in a specificoperational state. The storage unit 110 further records a flag 114having a specific initial value. It is understood that, in someembodiments, the specific initial value can be applied with a hardwareand/or software protection mechanism, such as an encryption process,thereby increasing the security of the specific initial value. It isunderstood that, in some embodiments, the flag 114 can be implementedusing a hardware component, such as a register. It is noted that, thewearable electronic device may have a plurality of functions. Thewearable electronic device can determine which function of the wearableelectronic device can be executed according to the value of the flag114. In some embodiments, when the value of the flag 114 is the specificinitial value, all functions of the wearable electronic device can beexecuted. When the value of the flag 114 does not match the specificinitial value, at least one of the functions of the wearable electronicdevice will be disabled. That is the execution and use of at least onefunction of the wearable electronic device is limited. The processingunit 120 can control related operations of hardware and software in thewearable electronic device, and perform the function control methods forwearable electronic devices of the invention, which will be discussedlater.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a main bodyand a connecting component of the invention. As shown in FIG. 2, themain body 210 comprises a pin detection module 212, and at least twopin, such as a first pin 214 and a second pin 216. The pin detectionmodule 212 couples to the first pin 214 or the second pin 216 todetermine whether the first pin 214 and the second pin 216 conductcurrent, thus determining the operational state of the electronicdevice. It is understood that, in some embodiments, the first pin 214and the second pin 216 may be spring loaded connectors, such as Pogopins. The connecting component 220 can connect with the main body 210,such that the first pin 214 and the second pin 216 of the main body 210conduct current. In the embodiment, the connecting component 220 cancomprise a third pin 222 and a fourth pin 224, which are connected witheach other. When the connecting component 220 and the main body 210 areconnected, the third pin 222 of the connecting component 220 connects tothe first pin 214 of the main body 210, and the fourth pin 224 of theconnecting component 220 connects to the second pin 216 of the main body210, such that the first pin 214 and the second pin 216 conduct current.As described, the operational state of the wearable electronic devicemay comprise a first operational state and a second operational state.It is noted that, in some embodiments, the first pin 214 and the secondpin 216 are open when the wearable electronic device is in the firstoperational state. When the pin detection module 212 detects that thefirst pin 214 and the second pin 216 are conducted, the pin detectionmodule 212 drives the wearable electronic device to change itsoperational state from the first operational state to the secondoperational state.

It is noted that, in the example of FIG. 2, the first pin 214 canconnect to the ground, and a power Vcc can be provided to the second pin216. The pin detection module 212 can couple to the second pin 216, anddetects the electric potential corresponding to a testing point TP todetermine the operational state of the wearable electronic device. Inthe example, when the electric potential corresponding to the testingpoint TP is high, that is the first pin 214 and the second pin 216 areopen, the operational state of the wearable electronic device is in thefirst operational state. When the electric potential corresponding tothe testing point TP is low, that is the first pin 214 and the secondpin 216 conduct current, the operational state of the wearableelectronic device is in the second operational state. It is understoodthat, the circuit for detecting whether the first pin 214 and the secondpin 216 conduct current can be implemented according to differentdesigns and requirements.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of an exampleof a wearable electronic device having a main body and a connectingcomponent of the invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the wearable electronicdevice 300 comprises a main body 310 and a connecting component 320. Themain body 310 comprises a first pin 312, a second pin 314, and a thirdpin 316, wherein the first pin 312 and the second pin 314 are open inthe main body 310. The third pin 316 of the main body 310 can be usedfor charging. The connecting component 320 can comprise a first pin 322and a second pin 324, which are connected with each other in theconnecting component 320. When the user takes off the wearableelectronic device 300, the first pin 312 and the second pin 314 of thewearable electronic device 30 are open, and the operational state of thewearable electronic device 300 enters the first operational state. Whenthe user wears the wearable electronic device 300, that is theconnecting component 320 and the main body 310 are connected, the firstpin 322 of the connecting component 320 contacts with the first pin 312of the main body 310, and the second pin 324 of the connecting component320 contacts with the second pin 314 of the main body 310, such that thefirst pin 312 and the second pin 314 of the main body 310 conductcurrent, and the operational state of the wearable electronic device 300enters the second operational state.

It is understood that, the mechanisms for detecting the operationalstate of the wearable electronic device in FIGS. 2 and 3 are examples ofthe application, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Forexample, a magnetic induction manner can be used for determining whetherthe pins conduct current. Any hardware and/or software mechanism whichcan determine the operational state of the wearable electronic devicecan be used in the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a function control method forwearable electronic devices of the invention. The function controlmethod for wearable electronic devices can be used in a wearableelectronic device.

In step S410, a flag having a specific initial value is provided in thewearable electronic device. It is understood that, in some embodiments,the specific initial value can be applied with a hardware and/orsoftware protection mechanism, such as an encryption process, therebyincreasing the security of the specific initial value. It is understoodthat, in some embodiments, the flag 114 can be implemented using ahardware component, such as a register. In step S420, an operationalstate of the wearable electronic device is obtained. It is understoodthat, in some embodiments, the operational state of the wearableelectronic device can be determined according to the manner disclosed inFIG. 2. It is noted that, the invention is not limited to any manner fordetermining the operational state. In step S430, it is determinedwhether the operational state of the wearable electronic device changes.It is understood that, in some embodiments, the determination of whetherthe operational state changes is performed by determining whether theoperational state of the wearable electronic device changes from aclosed state to an open state. When the operational state of thewearable electronic device does not change (No in step S430), theprocedure returns to step S420. When the operational state of thewearable electronic device changes (Yes in step S430), in step S440, thevalue of the flag is changed. In some embodiments, the specific initialvalue of the flag can be deleted. In some embodiments, the value of theflag can be set to a specific value which is different from the specificinitial value. Then, in step S450, it is determined whether to stop theexecution and use of at least one function of the wearable electronicdevice according to the value of the flag. Similarly, the wearableelectronic device may have a plurality of functions. In someembodiments, when the value of the flag is the specific initial value,all functions of the wearable electronic device can be executed. Whenthe value of the flag does not match the specific initial value, atleast one of the functions of the wearable electronic device will bedisabled. It is noted that, a function is disabled means the functioncan be executed and used.

It is understood that, in some embodiments, the function of the wearableelectronic device provides specific data in the wearable electronicdevice to be accessed by a specific electronic device. The specific datamay be identification data, and/or electronic wallet. It is noted that,the above function is an example of the application, and the presentinvention is not limited thereto.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of another embodiment of a function control methodfor wearable electronic devices of the invention. The function controlmethod for wearable electronic devices can be used in a wearableelectronic device.

In step S510, it is determined whether authentication data is received.It is understood that, in some embodiments, when the operational stateof the wearable electronic device changes, for example, when theoperational state of the wearable electronic device changes from an openstate (user takes off the device) to a closed state (user wears thedevice), a prompt for input the authentication data can be generated. Itis understood that, in some embodiments, the user can input theauthentication data at any time. It is noted that, in some embodiments,the authentication data may be texts, numerals, and/or a sound. In someembodiments, the wearable electronic device can comprise at least onemotion sensor for detecting a motion corresponding to the wearableelectronic device. The authentication data can comprise the motion. Whenthe authentication data is not received (No in step S510), the procedureremains at step S510. It is understood that, in some embodiments, whenthe wearable electronic device does not receive the authentication datain a predefined interval, the wearable electronic device is locked. Insome embodiments, all functions of the locked wearable electronic devicecannot be executed. In some embodiments, only at least one specificfunction of the locked wearable electronic device can be executed. Whenthe authentication data is received (Yes in step S510), in step S520, itis determined whether the received authentication data matches presetdata in the wearable electronic device. When the received authenticationdata matches the preset data in the wearable electronic device (Yes instep S520), in step S530, the value of the flag of the wearableelectronic device is reset to the specific initial value. When thereceived authentication data does not match the preset data in thewearable electronic device (No in step S520), in step S540, the wearableelectronic device is locked. It is noted that, in some embodiments, whenthe received authentication data does not match the preset data for aspecific number of times, the wearable electronic device is locked.

For example, when a user takes off a wearable electronic device, theflag value in the wearable electronic device is changed, such that atleast one specific function/application of the wearable electronicdevice cannot be executed. In some cases, the wearable electronic devicecannot be used to perform an unlocking process for a smartphone or acomputer. In some cases, the wearable electronic device cannot be usedto perform a mobile payment process. When the user inputs authenticationdata to the wearable electronic device, and the input authenticationdata matches the preset data in the wearable electronic device, the flagvalue is reset to the specific initial value, such that the user can usethe wearable electronic device to perform the specificfunction/application. It is noted that again, the abovefunctions/applications are examples of the application, and the presentinvention is not limited thereto.

Therefore, the function control methods and systems for wearableelectronic devices of the present invention can set a flag valueaccording to an operational state of a wearable electronic device, anddetermine whether at least one function of the wearable electronicdevice is allowed to be activated according to the flag value, therebyincreasing the security of execution of related functions/applicationson wearable electronic devices.

Function control methods for wearable electronic devices may take theform of a program code (i.e., executable instructions) embodied intangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMS, hard drives, or anyother machine-readable storage medium, wherein, when the program code isloaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machinethereby becomes an apparatus for executing the methods. The methods mayalso be embodied in the form of a program code transmitted over sometransmission medium, such as electrical wiring or cabling, through fiberoptics, or via any other form of transmission, wherein, when the programcode is received and loaded into and executed by a machine, such as acomputer, the machine becomes an apparatus for executing the disclosedmethods. When implemented on a general-purpose processor, the programcode combines with the processor to provide a unique apparatus thatoperates analogously to application specific logic circuits.

While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms ofpreferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited thereto. Those who are skilled in this technology can still makevarious alterations and modifications without departing from the scopeand spirit of this invention. Therefore, the scope of the presentinvention shall be defined and protected by the following claims andtheir equivalent.

What is claimed is:
 1. A function control method for wearable electronicdevices for use in a wearable electronic device, comprising: providing aflag having a specific initial value in the wearable electronic device;obtaining an operational state of the wearable electronic device; andwhen the operational state changes, changing the value of the flag,wherein when the value of the flag does not match the specific initialvalue, at least one function of the wearable electronic device isdisabled.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the determination of whetherthe operational state changes is performed by determining whether afastener of the wearable electronic device is changed from a closedstate to an open state, wherein the fastener can be opened or closed toallow a user to fasten the wearable electronic device to be a loop, suchthat the wearable electronic device to be worn on the user.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the wearable electronic device comprises amain body and a connecting component, when the main body does notconnect with the connecting component, the operational state of thewearable electronic device is in a first operational state, when themain body connects with the connecting component, the operational stateof the wearable electronic device is in a second operational state, andthe determination of whether the operational state changes is performedby determining whether the operational state of the wearable electronicdevice changes from the second operational state to the firstoperational state.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:determining whether authentication data is received; and when thereceived authentication data matches preset data in the wearableelectronic device, resetting the value of the flag to the specificinitial value.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising a step oflocking the wearable electronic device when the authentication data isnot received or the received authentication data does not match thepreset data in the wearable electronic device.
 6. The method of claim 4,wherein the wearable electronic device comprises at least one motionsensor for detecting a motion corresponding to the wearable electronicdevice, and the authentication data comprises the motion.
 7. The methodof claim 1, wherein the function of the wearable electronic deviceprovides specific data in the wearable electronic device to be accessedby a specific electronic device.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein theflag is implemented by a register.
 9. A function control system forwearable electronic devices for use in a wearable electronic device,comprising: a storage unit recording an operational state of thewearable electronic device, and comprising a flag having a specificinitial value; and a processing unit obtaining the operational state ofthe wearable electronic device, changing the value of the flag when theoperational state changes, wherein when the value of the flag does notmatch the specific initial value, at least one function of the wearableelectronic device is disabled.
 10. A machine-readable storage mediumcomprising a computer program, which, when executed, causes a device toperform a function control method for wearable electronic devices,wherein the method comprises: providing a flag having a specific initialvalue in the wearable electronic device; obtaining an operational stateof the wearable electronic device; and when the operational statechanges, changing the value of the flag, wherein when the value of theflag does not match the specific initial value, at least one function ofthe wearable electronic device is disabled.